Your Complete Guide to the Swiss Motorway Vignette

Travel through Switzerland legally. All the information you need, right here.

Understand the Essentials

The Essentials for Driving in Switzerland

Navigating Swiss roads requires a bit of preparation. Get the critical details here.

What to Expect

Swiss highway sign indicating vignette requirement

You need a Swiss vignette for all highways—even for short routes from the French border. It is a mandatory toll sticker or digital registration for your vehicle, ensuring you contribute to the upkeep of Switzerland's excellent road network. This applies to all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.

Why It Matters

Warning triangle icon representing a fine

Avoid costly penalties. The fine for non-compliance with the vignette requirement is CHF 200, plus you will be required to purchase the vignette on the spot. Border officials and police regularly check for valid vignettes, so it’s not a risk worth taking for your travel budget.

How to Prepare

Illustration of a person buying a vignette at a counter

Purchase from official outlets: border points, post offices, and specific gas stations in Switzerland and neighboring countries. For modern convenience, the e-vignette can be acquired online via the official Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) portal. It's valid per calendar year, from December 1st of the previous year to January 31st of the next.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding the physical and digital vignette options.

1. Purchase

The traditional physical vignette sticker can be bought at all major border crossings into Switzerland, Swiss Post offices, most gas stations (both in Switzerland and near the border in neighboring countries). Ensure you get it before entering any green-signed motorways.

2. Affix

Once purchased, peel off the backing and firmly place the vignette on the inside of your windshield. The official guidelines recommend placement either on the driver's side or behind the rearview mirror. It absolutely must be stuck directly to the glass. Using tape, protective film, or any other method to make it removable is strictly forbidden and can lead to fines. Ensure it does not obstruct your view.

Diagram showing correct placement of the Swiss vignette sticker on a car windshield

1. Purchase Online

The digital e-vignette is a convenient alternative. It can be purchased directly through the official portal of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS). Be wary of unofficial third-party websites that may charge inflated prices or provide invalid products. Always use the official government website for peace of mind.

2. Register Plate

During the online purchase process, you will need to accurately enter your vehicle's category (e.g., passenger car, motorcycle), the country of registration, and your license plate number. The e-vignette is digitally linked to your license plate, not the vehicle itself. Double-check all details before confirming, as errors can render the vignette invalid. No physical sticker is sent or required.

Screenshot of the official e-vignette online purchase portal on a laptop

14-Month Window

The Swiss vignette is always valid for a specific calendar year. For example, the vignette for 2024 is valid from 1 December 2023 to 31 January 2025. This fourteen-month window provides ample coverage. Crucially, there are no shorter-term options available, such as weekly or monthly vignettes, for tourists or short visits. The annual vignette is the only choice for motorway use.

Calendar graphic highlighting the 14-month validity period of the vignette

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common queries about the Swiss vignette.

If you rent a car within Switzerland, it typically already comes equipped with a valid vignette for the current year, as this is standard practice for Swiss rental agencies. However, if you rent a vehicle in a neighboring country like France, Germany, or Italy and intend to drive into Switzerland, it is your responsibility to purchase the vignette before entering Swiss motorways. Always verify with your rental company if unsure.
No, the Swiss motorway vignette is specifically required only for using national motorways (Autobahnen) and semi-motorways (Autostrassen), which are clearly identified by green road signs. You do not need a vignette to drive on cantonal roads, city streets, or through villages. If your journey strictly avoids these green-signed high-speed routes, you can travel without a vignette.
Each vehicle requiring access to Swiss motorways must have its own vignette. This means motorcycles need their own separate vignette. Furthermore, if you are towing a trailer or caravan that also exceeds a certain weight or size, and the towing vehicle already requires a vignette, then the trailer/caravan will also need its own separate vignette. It is essentially one vignette per registered number plate on each qualifying unit.
The physical sticker vignette is strictly non-transferable. It is designed to be destroyed upon removal, and any attempt to re-use it is illegal. If you change vehicles, you must buy a new vignette for the new car. For the digital e-vignette, it is tied to the license plate number. This means if you sell your car but retain the same plates for your new vehicle, the e-vignette remains valid. However, if you get new plates, a new e-vignette must be purchased.

Example Official Purchase Locations near Geneva

Plan your entry: Find key border points and post offices.

Disclaimer: This map shows examples of official sales points like customs offices and gas stations primarily for informational purposes. This guide does not sell vignettes directly. Please consult official Swiss government sources for the most current and comprehensive list of sales points.

Contact and Information

Get in touch with us regarding this guide or find more official details.

About This Guide

This guide serves as an independent informational resource designed to assist international travelers in understanding and complying with the Swiss motorway vignette system. Our goal is to simplify the complex rules into clear, actionable advice. We do not sell vignettes directly. For official purchases, always refer to the specifically mentioned outlets in this guide or visit the official Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) website.

Our Offices (Information Only):
Rue du Mont-Blanc 20
1201 Genève, Switzerland
P: +41 22 781 1999
E: [email protected]

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 17:00 (CET)

Questions About This Guide?

Have a suggestion, spot an error, or need clarification on the information provided here? Feel free to send us a message. We strive to keep this guide as accurate and useful as possible. Please note, we cannot provide legal advice or process vignette sales.